CHAPTER 6INTERIOR FINISH OF FLOORS, STAIRS,DOORS, AND TRIMThis chapter continues our discussion of interiorfinishing. In the previous chapter, we looked at theinterior finishing of walls and ceilings, and relatedaspects of insulation and ventilation. Now, we’llexamine the common types of flooring and theconstruction procedures for a stairway and interiordoorframing. We’ll also discuss the types of wood trimand the associated installation procedures.FLOOR COVERINGSLEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completingthis section, you should be able to identify thecommon types of floor coverings and describeprocedures for their placement.Numerous flooring materials now available may beused over a variety of floor systems. Each has a propertythat adapts it to a particular usage. Of the practicalproperties, perhaps durability and ease of maintenanceare the most important. However, initial cost, comfort,and appearance must also be considered. Specificservice requirements may call for special properties,such as resistance to hard wear in warehouses and onloading platforms, or comfort to users in offices andshops.There is a wide selection of wood materials used forflooring. Hardwoods and softwoods are available asstrip flooring in a variety of widths and thicknesses, andas random-width planks and block flooring. Othermaterials include linoleum, asphalt, rubber, cork vinyl,and tile and sheet forms. Tile flooring is also availablein a particleboard, which is manufactured with smallwood particles combined with resin and formed underhigh pressure. In many areas, ceramic tile and carpetingare used in ways not thought practical a few years ago.Plastic floor coverings used over concrete or a stablewood subfloor are another variation in the types offinishes available.WOOD-STRIP FLOORINGin bedroom and closet areas where traffic is light.However, it is less dense than the hardwoods, less wear-resistant, and shows surface abrasions more readily.Softwoods most commonly used for flooring aresouthern pine, Douglas fir, redwood, and westernhemlock.Softwood flooring has tongue-and-groove edgesand may be hollow-backed or grooved. Some types arealso end-matched. Vertical-grain flooring generally hasbetter wearing qualities than flat-grain flooring underhard usage.Hardwoods most commonly used for flooring arered and white oak, beech, birch, maple, and pecan, anyof which can be prefinished or unfinished.Hardwood strip flooring is available in widthsranging from 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 inches. Standard thicknessesinclude 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inch. A useful feature ofhardwood strip flooring is the undercut. There is a widegroove on the bottom of each piece that enables it to layflat and stable, even when the subfloor surface is slightlyuneven.These strips are laid lengthwise in a room andnormally at right angles to the floor joists. A subfloor ofdiagonal boards or plywood is normally used under thefinish floor. The strips are tongue and groove andend-matched (fig. 6-1, view A). Strips are random lengthSoftwood finish flooring costs less than mosthardwood species and is often used to good advantageFigure 6-1.—Types of strip flooring.6-1
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